Houtong Cat Village

　　Houtong Cat Village, also known as "Houtong Cat Street," is located in Houtong, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. It is a newly planned tourist attraction by the Ruifang Township government in late 2009. Houtong was once the largest coal mining city in Taiwan, but it is now a well-known cat-watching destination and a favorite place for felines.

　　The area around Houtong Cat Village has been home to many cats since early times, and due to their high reproductive rate, hundreds of cats now inhabit the area. Thanks to a campaign initiated by cat lovers on October 31, 2009, titled "With Cats Around, Houtong Is the Most Beautiful," the living environment for the cats has been greatly improved. The cats living here have become accustomed to close contact with tourists over the years and are mostly unafraid of strangers—some even actively seek affection. As the daytime can be quite hot, the cats often hide in shaded areas, making it easier to see large gatherings of them in the evening.

　　When visiting Houtong Cat Village, please avoid purchasing cat food, canned cat food, or cat toys from shops or vendors, as the quality is often poor. When you encounter the cats, feel free to take photos with your camera. You may gently stroke their heads with your fingers, but do not force them to interact or allow you to hold them, to prevent any injuries.

　　Houtong Cat Village Reason to visit: An ideal place to admire cats